Louis Beaulieu has been named the 38th annual Quesnel Volunteer Citizen of the Year.
The awards banquet, which took place at the Billy Barker Casino Showroom Wednesday night, was a resounding success. The four nominees – Wally Doern, Debbie Knabke, Ron Campbell and Beaulieu – were in attendance, as were past award winners, supporters, community leaders and other members of various volunteer organizations in town.
Attendees gave a huge round of applause when the winner was announced.
Beaulieu was nominated by Paige Sadler for his work with the Auxiliary to the G.R. Baker Memorial Hospital and the Lions Club. He is also a director with Baker Creek Enhancement Society and an active member of Northstar Church.
Another award was given out at the annual awards banquet.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is given at the discretion of the Volunteer Citizen of the Year Committee and the recipient is a volunteer whose commitment is evident, but who, for a variety of reasons, is unable to receive the Volunteer Citizen of the Year Award.
This year two individuals received Lifetime Achievement Awards.
Jeff Dinsdale received the award for his many hours of dedicated work, including founding the Cerebral Palsy Association and the Grace Young Activity Centre. He sits on the boards of Step-up House and the Quesnel Canadian Mental Health Association. He also volunteers with organizations including the Quesnel Paddlewheel Association and the Gold Rush Trail Sled Dog Association.
Tom Moffat received a Lifetime Achievement Award post-humously for his volunteer work with organizations including the Quesnel Legion, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Rod and Gun Club, Lions Club and the Palliative Care Association, among others. His grandson Ian Hart accepted the award on his behalf.
Guests of the banquet enjoyed the food, atmosphere and the toe-tapping music of the Quesnel Fiddlers.
See next week’s Observer for more photographs of the event.